The plot to kill Jesus Flashcards
Why does Jesus return to Judea?
To raise Lazarus from the dead
What is the significance of Jesus crossing the River Jordan to get to Judea?
He is replicating the original arrival of the Israelites into the promised land
Who learns that Jesus has returned and is raising people from the dead?
Caiaphas and the sanhedrin
How do the gospel describe the subsequent meeting of the sanhedrin?
They meet to condemn Jesus
What two different types of council does Rowe make a distinction between?
The Bet Din and the Sanhedrin
What was the Bet Din according to Rivkin?
A religious council that settled religious disputes and punished people for breaking religious laws
What was the Sanhedrin according to Rivkin?
A non-religious privy council that met to discuss matters of political importance, such as threats to national security
What does Rivkin think the group that assembled to condemn Jesus actually was?
A gang of politicians called by Caiaphas to deal with a threat to peace in Judea, rather than an impressive parliament of 71 religious experts
Why does the Jewish decision to kill Jesus seem to be more political than religious?
They fear that the Romans will take away their temple and their nation. They fear that Jesus is causing such a commotion that the Romans will fear revolt and destroy the Jewish community of Judea
Why could it be argued the Jewish decision to condemn Jesus was actually for religious rather than political reasons?
The priests seem concerned that everyone will believe in Jesus because of the signs he is performing
Why is it clear that Caiaphas’ decision to condemn Jesus was political rather than religious?
He makes the political calculation that it is better to execute one troublemaker rather than risk a full blown war with the Romans that could destroy the country. He even says that the priests who are fretting about the religious implications of the signs are ‘fools’ who know ‘nothing at all’
Why is Caiaphas’ political calculation another example of Johannine irony?
Because Jesus is about to die an atoning death, meaning he really will die for the sake of the people
What purpose do all four of the Sanhedrin scenes serve?
They establish the mixed motives of the Jewish leaders and the tragic irony of their eventual decision
Explain this passage in terms of blasphemy
The priests seemed to be concerned at the increasing number of people in Jesus; this is bad because they think his blasphemous teachings are leading people astray
Explain this passage in terms of Jesus being a threat to power
The priests seem to be threatened by Jesus attracting followers with his signs
